U.S. patent application number 17/419801 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-16 for cooling fan and noise sensor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.. The applicant listed for this patent is Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.. Invention is credited to Hung-Wen Chang, Shih-Han Chen, Ai-Tsung Li.
Application Number | 20220187882 17/419801 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220187882 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Hung-Wen ; et
al. |
June 16, 2022 |
COOLING FAN AND NOISE SENSOR
Abstract
An example system can include a noise sensor communicatively
coupled to a controller of a computing device to dynamically
determine a sound pressure level (SPL) of an environment in which
the computing device is present. The computing device can include a
cooling fan and the controller comprising a processor in
communication with a memory resource including instructions
executable to dynamically determine a threshold speed of the
cooling fan based on the determined SPL of the environment set a
speed of the cooling fan based on the determined threshold
speed.
Inventors: |
Chang; Hung-Wen; (Taipei
City, TW) ; Li; Ai-Tsung; (Taipei City, TW) ;
Chen; Shih-Han; (Taipei City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. |
Spring |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hewlett-Packard Development
Company, L.P.
Spring
TX
|
Appl. No.: |
17/419801 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2019 |
PCT Filed: |
September 4, 2019 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2019/049430 |
371 Date: |
June 30, 2021 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/20 20060101
G06F001/20 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: a noise sensor communicatively coupled to
a controller of a computing device to dynamically determine a sound
pressure level (SPL) of an environment in which the computing
device is present; and the computing device, comprising: a cooling
fan; and the controller comprising a processor in communication
with a memory resource including instructions executable to
dynamically: determine a threshold speed of the cooling fan based
on the determined SPL of the environment; and set a speed of the
cooling fan based on the determined threshold speed.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller to dynamically
determine the threshold speed and set the speed of the cooling fan
comprises the controller to adjust the threshold speed and the
speed of the cooling fan responsive to a change in the SPL.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising the controller to:
increase the threshold speed responsive to an increase in the SPL
of the environment; and decrease the threshold speed responsive to
a decrease in the SPL of the environment.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the threshold speed is a highest
speed the cooling fan is allowed to reach at the determined SPL of
the environment.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the highest speed has an
A-weighted decibel level within a threshold range of an A-weighted
decibel level of the SPL of the environment.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: the noise sensor
physically located on the computing device; a different noise
sensor physically located on a device peripheral to the computing
device; and the controller to: determine a threshold speed of the
cooling fan based on the SPL of the environment determined by the
noise sensor and an SPL of the environment determined by the
different noise sensor.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the noise sensor is physically
located on the computing device.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the noise sensor is physically
located on a device peripheral to the computing device.
9. A method, comprising: receiving, from a noise sensor
communicatively coupled to a computing device, a first sound
pressure level (SPL) of an environment in which the computing
device is present; determining a first threshold cooling fan speed
based on the first SPL; adjusting a speed of a cooling fan of the
computing device based on the first threshold cooling fan speed;
receiving, from the noise sensor, a second SPL of the environment;
determining a second threshold cooling fan speed based on the
second SPL; and adjusting a speed of the cooling fan of the
computing device based on the second threshold cooling fan speed,
wherein the first SPL and the second SPL are different SPLs.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein adjusting the speed of the
cooling fan based on the second SPL comprises: increasing the speed
of the cooling fan when the second threshold cooling fan speed is
greater than the first SPL; and decreasing the speed of the cooling
fan when the second threshold cooling fan speed is less than the
first SPL.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining the first
and the second threshold cooling fan speeds using a predetermined
cooling fan speed model.
12. A controller comprising a processor in communication with a
memory resource including instructions executable to: receive, from
a noise sensor located on a computing device, a first sound
pressure level (SPL) of an environment in which the computing
device is present; determine a first threshold speed of the cooling
fan based on the determined first SPL of the environment; set a
speed of the cooling fan based on the determined first threshold
speed; and responsive to coupling the computing device to a
peripheral device of the computing device: receive, from a noise
sensor located on the peripheral device, a second SPL of the
environment; determine a second threshold speed of the cooling fan
based on the determined second SPL of the environment; and set the
speed of the cooling fan based on the determined second threshold
speed.
13. The controller of claim 12, further comprising the controller
to: responsive to a change in the second SPL of the environment,
determine a third threshold speed of the cooling fan based on the
changed second SPL of the environment; and set a new speed of the
cooling fan based on the determined third threshold speed.
14. The controller of claim 12, further comprising the controller
to set the speed of the cooling fan based on the determined second
threshold speed and the determined first threshold speed.
15. The controller of claim 13, further comprising the controller
to set the new speed of the cooling fan dynamically such that the
new speed of the cooling fan changes in response to changes in the
determined second SPL and determined third threshold speed.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] A computing device cooling fan is a fan inside or attached
to a computing device used for cooling a particular component. For
instance, fans can be used to draw cooler air into a computing
device case, expel warm air from inside, and cool the particular
component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system including a cooling fan, a
noise sensor, and a controller according to an example;
[0003] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system including a noise sensor on
a computing device and a noise sensor on a device peripheral to the
computing device;
[0004] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a system including a noise sensor on
a computing device and noise sensors on devices peripheral to the
computing device;
[0005] FIG. 4 is another diagram of a system including a noise
sensor on a computing device and a noise sensor on a device
peripheral to the computing device;
[0006] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a controller including a processor
and a non-transitory machine-readable medium (MRM);
[0007] FIG. 6 is a method for setting a cooling fan speed using a
noise sensor according to an example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] As processors, graphics cards, random-access memory (RAM)
and other components in computing devices have increased in speed
and power consumption, the amount of heat produced by these
components has also increased. These components are kept within a
specified temperature range to prevent overheating, instability,
malfunction, and damage leading to a shortened component lifespan.
While it may be possible in computing devices to cool some
components using natural convection (e.g., passive cooling), an
increasing number of components have improved performance with
active cooling. To cool these components, fans are used to move
heated air away from the components and draw cooler air over them.
The fans may have different speed levels, with the noise produced
by the fan increasing as the speed level increases. As used herein,
a computing device can be a mechanical or electrical device that
transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the
performance of human tasks. Examples include thin clients, personal
computers, printing devices, laptops, tablets, smartphones, mobile
devices, and gaming consoles, among others.
[0009] Some approaches to component cooling using fans include the
use of component temperature readings to control cooling fan speed.
In such approaches, the temperature of a particular component of
the computing device is determined. If the component reaches a
threshold heat level, the fan will turn on. In such an example, if
a user is in a very quiet room and cooling fan turns on, the noise
produced may be disruptive to the user or others and/or
embarrassing for a user, reducing a user's satisfaction with the
computing device. Other approaches limit a threshold cooling fan
speed such that a cooling fan cannot run above a particular speed.
This can reduce performance and lifespan of a computing device, as
components may run too hot because of limited system airflow.
[0010] In some other approaches, an environment noise level is
considered and based on the noise level, a cooling fan speed is
determined from a preset cooling fan speed table stored in a basic
input/output system (BIOS). Examples of the present disclosure use
a noise sensor located on a computing device and/or a peripheral
device or devices of the computing device to determine an
environmental sound pressure level (SPL), set a threshold cooling
fan SPL, and allow the fan speed to dynamically change as long as
the threshold cooling fan SPL is not met. As used herein, sound
pressure (also known as acoustic pressure) is a local pressure
deviation from ambient atmospheric pressure caused by a sound wave.
An SPL is a logarithmic measure of the effect pressure of a sound
relative to a reference value. An SPL can be determined (e.g.,
measured in decibels (dB)) using a noise sensor (e.g., ambient
noise sensor, SPL meter, etc.). Examples of the present disclosure
may allow for reduction of a cooling fan speed (and as a result, a
reduction in noise output) as a computing device moves from a
louder environment to a quieter environment (or as a static
environment gets quieter) and vice versa. This can allow for
increased user satisfaction with the computing device, while still
allowing cooling fan speeds that cool components to a desired level
to preserve performance and lifespan of the computing device.
[0011] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which
the first digit or digits correspond to the drawing figure number
and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the
drawing. Similar elements or components between different figures
may be identified by the use of similar digits. For example, 102
may reference element "02" in FIG. 1, and a similar element may be
referenced as 202 in FIG. 2. Elements shown in the various figures
herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide
a number of additional examples of the present disclosure. In
addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements
provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of
the present disclosure and should not be taken in a limiting
sense.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system 100 including a cooling fan
106, a noise sensor 102, and a controller 108 according to an
example. System 100 can include the noise sensor 102 located on a
computing device 104, The noise sensor 102 can be located on the
face of the computing device 104, a laptop in this example, to
reduce interference from noise produced by components of the
computing device 104. However, a location of the noise sensor 102
on the computing device 104 is not limited to the face to the
computing device 104. While one noise sensor 102 is illustrated on
the computing device 104, more than one noise sensor may be present
on the computing device 104. In such an example, one, some, or all
of the noise sensors can determine an SPL of the environment of the
computing device 104.
[0013] The noise sensor 102 can be communicatively coupled to the
controller 108 of the computing device 104 and can dynamically
determine an SPL of an environment in which the computing device is
present. As used herein, "dynamically" can include variable and/or
constantly changing in response to a particular influence (e.g., a
change in an SPL of an environment). For instance, the SPL can be
determined near-continuously or periodically, among others, and as
the SPL of the environment changes (or as the computing device is
moved to a different environment with a different SPL), the
determinations can be made. As used herein, "near-continuously"
includes determining (e.g., measuring, capturing, etc.) without
meaningful breaks. "Communicatively coupled," as used herein, can
include coupled via various wired and/or wireless connections
between devices such that data can be transferred in various
directions between the devices. The coupling may not be a direct
connection, and in some examples can be an indirect connection.
[0014] The computing device 104 can include the cooling fan 106
communicatively coupled to the controller 108. The controller 108,
in some examples, can include a combination of hardware and
instructions. For instance, the hardware can include the processor
105 and/or the memory resource 103 (e.g., MRM, computer-readable
medium (CRM), data store, etc.). The memory resource 103 can
include stored instructions, such as instructions 107 and 109.
[0015] The processor 105, as used herein, can include a number of
processing resources capable of executing instructions 107, 109
stored by the memory resource 103. The instructions (e.g.,
machine-readable instructions (MRI)) can include instructions
stored on the memory resource 103 and executable by the processor
105 to implement a desired function (e.g., dynamically determine a
cooling fan speed). The memory resource 103, as used herein, can
include a number of memory components capable of storing
non-transitory instructions 107, 109 that can be executed by the
processor 105. The memory resource 103 can be integrated in a
single device or distributed across multiple devices. Further, the
memory resource 103 can be fully or partially integrated in the
same device as the processor 105 or it can be separate but
accessible to that device and processor 105. Thus, it is noted that
the controller 108 can be implemented on an electronic device
and/or a collection of electronic devices, among other
possibilities.
[0016] The memory resource 103 can be in communication with the
processor 105 via a communication link (e.g., path). The
communication link can be local or remote to an electronic device
associated with the processor 105. In some examples, the memory
resource 103 includes instructions (e.g., software, firmware, etc.)
that can be downloaded and stored in a memory resource (e.g., MRM)
as well as a hard-wired program (e.g., logic), among other
possibilities.
[0017] The instructions 107, when executed by a processor such as
the processor 105, can include instructions to dynamically
determine a threshold speed of the cooling fan 106 based on the
determined SPL of the environment. The instructions 109, when
executed by a processor such as the processor 105, can dynamically
set a speed of the cooling fan 106 based on the determined
threshold speed. Put another way, the controller 108 can adjust the
threshold speed and the speed of the cooling fan responsive to a
change in the SPL.
[0018] For instance, a threshold speed can be determined based on a
threshold cooling fan speed model (herein after referred to as
"model") used to set the threshold speed at a level that outputs
noise that is a particular dB level below the determined
environmental SPL. The threshold speed, for instance, can include a
highest speed the cooling fan is allowed to reach at the determined
SPL of the environment. The highest speed, in some examples, can
have an A-weighted decibel level (e.g., relative loudness of sounds
in air as perceived by the human ear) within a threshold range of
an A-weighted decibel level of the SPL of the environment. For
example, if the noise sensor 102 determines the SPL is 30 dB, a
threshold speed is determined to be a speed that outputs two dB
less (e.g., 28 dB) than the SPL. The cooling fan, while in the
environment having an SPL of 30, cannot exceed the threshold speed.
Because the SPL can be determined dynamically, for instance as the
environment noise level changes or the computing device 104 changes
environments (e.g., having different noise levels), updated SPL
determinations can be made, and as a result, updated threshold
cooling fan speeds can be determined and updated speeds set.
[0019] For example, when the SPL of the environment increases, the
threshold speed is increased, and when the SPL of the environment
decreases, the threshold speed is decreased. As a result, a cooling
fan can run at higher speeds in a louder environment and lower
speeds in a quieter environment. Mile a -2 dB model is used as an
example herein, examples of the present disclosure are not limited
to a -2 dB model. For instance, the model may be 0 dB, -1 dB, -3
dB, +1 dB, +2 dB, etc.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system 210 including a noise sensor
202 on a computing device 204 and a noise sensor 214 on a device
212 peripheral to the computing device 204. In some examples of the
present disclosure, the SPL determination can be made by a noise
sensor 214 located on a device other than the computing device 204
on which the cooling fan 206 resides. For instance, a docking
accessory or other peripheral device 212 may include a noise sensor
214. The noise sensor 214 on the peripheral device 212 may reflect
more accurately an environmental SPL level as compared to the noise
sensor 202 on the computing device 204 since mechanical and
electronic noise interference from the computing device 204 may be
reduced. While one noise sensor 202 is illustrated on the computing
device 204 and one noise sensor 214 is illustrated on the
peripheral device 212, more than one noise sensor may be present on
the computing device 204 and/or the peripheral device 212. In such
an example, one, some, or all of the noise sensors can determine an
SPL of the environment of the computing device 204.
[0021] In some examples, the noise sensor 214 can be
communicatively coupled to the controller 208 and can determine the
SPL of the environment. The controller 208 can use the SPL
determined by the noise sensor 214 to determine a threshold speed
of the cooling fan 206. In some examples, the controller 208 can
use the SPL determined by both the noise sensor 202 of the
computing device 204 and the noise sensor 214 of the peripheral
device 212. In some instances, when the peripheral device 212 is
detected by the controller 208 as connected, the controller 208 can
automatically switch from using SPL determinations made by the
noise sensor 202 to SPL determinations made by the noise sensor 214
or by both noise sensors 202 and 214.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a system 315 including a noise sensor
302 on a computing device 304 and noise sensors 314, 318 on devices
312, 316 peripheral to the computing device 304. In some examples,
the SPL determination can be made by the noise sensor 302 on the
computing device 304, on one peripheral device 312 or 316 or on a
combination thereof. While two peripheral devices (e.g., a docking
device and a monitor) are illustrated in FIG. 3, more or fewer
peripheral devices may be utilized. The noise sensors 302, 314, and
318 can be communicatively coupled to the controller 308. While one
noise sensor 302 is illustrated on the computing device 304 and one
noise sensor 314, 318 is illustrated on each of the respective
peripheral devices 312, 316, more than one noise sensor may be
present on the computing device 204 and/or the peripheral devices
312, 316. In such an example, one, some, or all of the noise
sensors can determine an SPL of the environment of the computing
device 304.
[0023] In an example in which it is determined that the noise
sensor 318 will be used, the controller 308 receives an
environmental SPL from the noise sensor 318, a threshold speed of
the cooling fan 306 can be determined based on the SPL, and a
cooling fan speed can be set (or adjusted if it is already
running). Similar processes may be used in examples in which noise
sensors 302 or 314 are chosen. In some examples, more than one
noise sensor is used in the determination of an environmental SPL.
For instance, the noise sensors 314 and 318 on the peripheral
devices 312 and 316, respectively may be used in combination. For
example, an average, median, or other combination of the determined
SPLs from the noise sensors 314 and 318 may be used to determine a
threshold cooling fan speed. In another example, a combination of
the noise sensors 302, 314, and/or 318 may be used. Other
combinations may be used, and examples are not so limited.
[0024] In some instances, when a peripheral device such as docking
device 312 or monitor 316 is detected by the controller 308 as
connected, the controller 308 can automatically switch from using
SPL determinations made by the noise sensor 302 to SPL
determinations made by the noise sensor 314, the noise sensor 318
or by some combination of noise sensors 302, 314, and 318. A
determination of which noise sensor to use can be preconfigured,
for instance, based on manufacturer settings, administrator
settings (e.g., in an office setting), or user settings, among
others.
[0025] FIG. 4 is another diagram of a system 420 including a noise
sensor 402 on a computing device 404 and a noise sensor 418 on a
device 416 peripheral to the computing device 404. In some examples
of the present disclosure, the SPL determination can be made by a
noise sensor 418 located on a device other than the computing
device 404 on which the cooling fan 406 resides. For instance, a
peripheral device 416 (e.g., a monitor) may include a noise sensor
418. The noise sensor 418 on the peripheral device 416 may reflect
more accurately an environmental SPL level as compared to the noise
sensor 402 on the computing device 404 since mechanical and
electronic noise interference from the computing device 404 may be
reduced. While one noise sensor 402 is illustrated on the computing
device 404 and one noise sensor 418 is illustrated on the
peripheral device 416, more than one noise sensor may be present on
the computing device 404 and/or the peripheral device 416. In such
an example, one, some, or all of the noise sensors can determine an
SPL of the environment of the computing device 404.
[0026] In some examples, the noise sensor 418 can be
communicatively coupled to the controller 408 and can determine the
SPL of the environment. The controller 408 can use the SPL
determined by the noise sensor 418 to determine a threshold speed
of the cooling fan 406. In some examples, the controller 408 can
use the SPL determined by both the noise sensor 402 of the
computing device 404 and the noise sensor 418 of the peripheral
device 412. In some instances, when the peripheral device 412 is
detected by the controller 408 as connected, the controller 408 can
automatically switch from using SPL determinations made by the
noise sensor 402 to SPL determinations made by the noise sensor 418
or by both noise sensors 402 and 418.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a controller 530 including a
processor 546 and a non-transitory MRM 532. In some examples,
controller 530 may be any of controllers 108, 208, 308, 408, as
illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. The controller 530 can include the
non-transitory MRM 532 on which may be stored instructions, such as
instructions 534, 536, 538, 540, 542, 544. Although the following
descriptions refer to a processor and a memory resource, the
descriptions may also apply to a system with multiple processors
and multiple memory resources. In such examples, the instructions
may be distributed (e.g., stored) across multiple non-transitory
MRMs and the instructions may be distributed (e.g., executed by)
across multiple processors.
[0028] The non-transitory MRM 532 may be electronic, magnetic,
optical, or other physical storage device that stores executable
instructions. Thus, non-transitory MRM 532 may be, for example,
Random Access Memory (RAM), an Electrically-Erasable Programmable
ROM (EEPROM), a storage drive, an optical disc, and the like. In
this example, the executable instructions 534, 536, 538, 540, 542,
544 can be "installed" on the device. Additionally and/or
alternatively, the non-transitory MRM 532 can be a portable,
external or remote storage medium, for example, that allows the
controller 530 to download the instructions 534, 536, 538, 540,
542, 544 from the portable/external/remote storage medium. In this
situation, the executable instructions may be part of an
"installation package". As described herein, the non-transitory MRM
532 can be encoded with executable instructions for dynamically
adjusting a cooling fan speed based on an SPL of an
environment.
[0029] The instructions 534, when executed by a processor such as
the processor 546, can include instructions to receive, from a
noise sensor located on a computing device, a first SPL of an
environment in which the computing device is present. The noise
sensor can determine the SPL and send the determination to the
controller 530, for instance. The instructions 536, when executed
by a processor such as the processor 546, can include instructions
to determine a first threshold speed of the cooling fan based on
the determined first SPL of the environment, and the instructions
538, when executed by a processor such as the processor 546, can
include instructions to set a speed of the cooling fan based on the
determined first threshold speed. For instance, a model can be used
that takes the noise sensor reading as input and determines the
first threshold speed (e.g., limits the cooling fan speed) For
example, the model may be set such that when the first SPL is less
than 25 dB, the cooling fan may spin at a speed that produces a 25
dB of noise, which is 2 dB higher than surrounding environmental
noise. Other models or ranges may be used.
[0030] In some examples, a peripheral device such as a docking
device (e.g., docking station) or monitor can be coupled to the
computing device. In such an example, the instructions 540, when
executed by a processor such as the processor 546, can include
instructions to receive, from a noise sensor located on the
peripheral device, a second SPL of the environment. The second SPL
may be different for instance than the first SPL because of
mechanical or electrical noise interference present near one of the
noise sensors (e.g., component noise near the first noise sensor).
In some examples, when the computing device housing the cooling fan
detects connection of a peripheral device having a noise sensor,
SPL determinations are automatically moved to a noise sensor on the
peripheral device. In some instances, the switch may be done
manually, and/or both noise sensors can be used.
[0031] The instructions 542, when executed by a processor such as
the processor 546, can include instructions to determine a second
threshold speed of the cooling fan based on the determined second
SPL of the environment, and the instructions 544, when executed by
a processor such as the processor 546, can include instructions to
set the speed of the cooling fan based on the determined second
threshold speed. A same or different model than the model used with
the first SPL determination can be used. In some examples, the
speed of the cooling fan can be set based on the determined first
threshold speed and the determined second threshold speed. For
instance, both noise sensor SPL determinations can be used in
determining an appropriate cooling fan speed. While two devices,
including a computing device and a peripheral device are described
herein, more devices may house noise sensors for use in determining
cooling fan speeds. Additionally or alternatively, more than one
noise sensor may be present on a device.
[0032] In some examples, the MRM 532 can include instructions to
determine a third threshold speed of the cooling fan responsive to
a change in the second SPL of the environment based on the changed
second SPL and set a new speed of the cooling fan based on the
determined third threshold speed. For instance, if the environment
gets louder or quieter, a new cooling fan speed can be determined.
This can continue iteratively, such that the SPL is
near-continuously determined, and as a result so are the threshold
cooling fan speed and the cooling fan speed. Put another way, the
new speed of the cooling fan can be set dynamically such that the
new speed of the cooling fan changes in response to changes in the
determined second SPL and the determined third threshold speed.
[0033] FIG. 6 is a method 650 for setting a cooling fan speed using
a noise sensor according to an example. The method 650 may be
performed by a system 100, 210, 315, 420 and/or controllers 108,
208, 308, 408, 530 as described with respect to FIGS. 1-5. At 652,
the method 650 includes receiving, from a noise sensor
communicatively coupled to a computing device, a first SPL of an
environment in which the computing device is present, and at 654,
the method 650 includes determining a first threshold cooling fan
speed based on the first SPL. For instance, a controller can
receive from the noise sensor, which may have an adjustable
location, the first SPL. The controller may use a thermal table
built into a BIOS of the computing device, for instance, that
includes different cooling fan speeds and their associated dB
levels. Using the thermal table and a predefined model, the first
threshold cooling fan speed is determined, and at 656, the method
650 includes adjusting a speed of a cooling fan of the computing
device based on the first threshold cooling fan speed. For
instance, in the thermal table there may be a plurality of fan
speeds and their corresponding decibel level. Those fan speed
rotations per minute (RPMs) can be preset into the BIOS, and the
cooling fan operates between those preset cooling fan RPMs. For
example, the thermal table may have entries of 2000 RPM, 3000 RPM,
and 4000 RPM, and those three RPMs may be preset into the BIOS. In
some examples, the noise sensor reading may determine the cooling
fan can spin at all three speeds, or it may operate between 2000
RPM and 3000 RPM, for instance.
[0034] The method 650, at 658, includes receiving, from the noise
sensor, a second SPL different than the first SPL of the
environment. For instance, if the environment gets louder or
quieter, or if the computing device is moved to a different
location having a different SPL, a different SPL is determined. For
instance, the noise sensor can monitor in real time, such that
changes in the SPL can be dynamically reported to the controller,
for instance. At 660, the method 650 includes determining a second
threshold cooling fan speed based on the second SPL. Because of the
change in the SPL, the threshold cooling fan speed may change. If
the SPL change is small, the threshold cooling fan speed may not
change. For instance, if the SPL fell one dB, the threshold cooling
fan speed may remain the same (e.g., in a +2 dB model), but if the
SPL rose 5 dB, the threshold cooling fan speed may change.
[0035] The method 650, at 662, includes adjusting a speed of the
cooling fan of the computing device based on the second threshold
cooling fan speed. For instance, as the SPL increases, the
threshold cooling fan speed increases, and as a result the cooling
fan speed can be set at a higher level (and vice versa for
decreased SPL). Put another way, the speed of the cooling fan can
be increased when the second threshold cooling fan speed is greater
than the first SPL, and the speed of the cooling fan can be
decreased with the second threshold cooling fan speed is less than
the first SPL.
[0036] In some examples, the threshold cooling fan speed may
increase, but the fan speed may not be set to the highest speed.
For instance, if computing device components are at an appropriate
temperature, in a loud room, the fan speed may remain at a lower
level.
[0037] In the foregoing detailed description of the present
disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
how examples of the disclosure can be practiced. These examples are
described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in
the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to
be understood that other examples can be utilized and that process,
electrical, and/or structural changes can be made without departing
from the scope of the present disclosure,
* * * * *